Kierkegaard, Metaphysics and Political Theory

Alison Assiter is Professor of Feminist Theory at the University of the West of England, UK. Her previous publications include The Limitations of Althusserianism, Pluto Press, 1990 Enlightened Women, Routledge, 1996 and Revisiting Universalism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003).

• Introduction; 1. The Metaphysical Assumptions of the Classical Liberal; 2. Human Rights and Fundamentalism.; 3. Some Limitations of the Discourse of Human Rights.; 4. Autonomy and "Evil'.; 5. The Beginnings of an Alternative Metaphysic and Ethics; 6. Natural Needs; 7. Metaphysics and Morality; 8. Love for Family, Friends and Close Associates; Conclusion; References/Notes; Index.

"A remarkable book! Alison Assiter writes with passion and refinement of the history of modern philosophy's contributions to an understanding of our troubled world. She revives Soren Kierkegaard both as a general philosopher and as a guide to a moral politic that both thinks and feels." (Charles Lemert, The John C. Andrus Professor of Sociology, Wesleyan University, USA) "Who would have thought that Kierkegaard has interesting things to teach us about politics, of all things? But he has, and Assiter shows us how. More importantly, she also shows us why what he says matters: an impressive achievement!" (Bob Brecher, University of Brighton, UK) 'A fresh way of thinking about ethics and human rights... many lines of argument are examined... a thoughtful and original work.' (Times Higher Education) 'An illuminating and thought-provoking book which covers a wide range of political theory... a useful book for both undergraduates and postgraduates in Gender Studies as well as Philosophy and Political Theory.' (European Journal of Gender Studies)"